Lakers defeat Jazz 119-109

Source: CCTV.com

04-23-2009 10:34

The Utah Jazz played better basketball against the L-A Lakers, but it still didn't matter. Kobe Bryant scored 26 points, Pau Gasol added 22 and Lamar Odom had 19 off the bench to give the Lakers a 119-109 win and a 2-0 lead in their Western Conference playoff series.

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (C) fights past the defense of Utah Jazz's Ronnie Brewer (L) and Paul Millsap during the second half of Game 2 of their NBA Western Conference quarter-finalbasketball playoff game in Los Angeles, April 21, 2009. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)

The Lakers' shooting sizzled in the opening quarter, but they found themselves in a tight battle throughout much of the second half.

The Lakers stretched their lead to 93-81 early in the fourth, and held on to that advantage until the end of the game.